Valve pressure assembly and methods of operating the same

Abstract

A valve pressure assembly for pressurizing an actuating mechanism of a thief hatch is provided. The valve pressure assembly includes a pressure bar comprising a first end, a second end, and a body located between the first end and the second end; a connector coupled to the body and configured to removably couple to the actuating mechanism; and a clamp coupled to at least one of the first end and the second end, the clamp comprising a fastener removably coupled to the relief valve, wherein the fastener is configured to adjustably move the pressure bar and the connector in contact with the actuating mechanism to facilitate pressuring the actuating mechanism to remain in an operative position.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A valve pressure assembly for pressurizing an actuating mechanism of a thief hatch, the valve pressure assembly comprising:
 a pressure bar comprising a first end, a second end, and a body located between the first end and the second end; 
 a connector coupled to the body and configured to removably couple to the actuating mechanism; and 
 a clamp coupled to at least one of the first end and the second end, the clamp comprising a fastener removably coupled to the relief valve, wherein the fastener is configured to adjustably move the pressure bar and the connector in contact with the actuating mechanism to facilitate pressuring the actuating mechanism to remain in an operative position. 
 
     
     
       2. The valve assembly of  claim 1  wherein the bar comprises a channel which is configured to receive the clamp. 
     
     
       3. The valve pressure assembly of  claim 1  wherein the connector is configured to insert within the actuating mechanism when the actuating mechanism is in the operative position. 
     
     
       4. The valve assembly of  claim 1  wherein the connector is removably coupled to the body. 
     
     
       5. The valve pressure assembly of  claim 1  wherein the fastener comprises a first fastener adjustably coupled to the first end and comprises a second fastener adjustably coupled to the second end. 
     
     
       6. The valve pressure assembly of  claim 1  wherein the fastener comprises a hook threaded fastener. 
     
     
       7. The valve pressure assembly of  claim 1  further comprising an electrical ground coupled to the bar. 
     
     
       8. The valve assembly of  claim 1  wherein the body is adjustable in length between the first end and the second end. 
     
     
       9. The valve assembly of  claim 1  wherein the body comprises an electrically insulating material. 
     
     
       10. The valve pressure assembly of  claim 1  wherein the connector is configured to receive the actuating mechanism when the actuating mechanism is in the operative position. 
     
     
       11. A valve assembly for coupling to a storage container, the valve assembly comprising:
 a thief hatch comprising:
 a base configured to couple to the storage container; 
 a cap rotatably coupled to the base; and 
 an actuating mechanism configured to exert a biasing force against a valve that is positioned in flow communication with the storage container; and 
 
 a valve pressure assembly coupled to the thief hatch and comprising:
 a pressure bar comprising a first end, a second end, and a body located between the first end and the second end; 
 a connector coupled to the body and configured to removably couple to the actuating mechanism; and 
 a clamp coupled to at least one of the first end and the second end, the clamp comprising a fastener removably coupled to the thief hatch, wherein the fastener is configured to adjustably move the pressure bar and the connector in contact with the actuating mechanism to facilitate pressuring the actuating mechanism to remain in an operative position. 
 
 
     
     
       12. The valve assembly of  claim 11  wherein the cap is configured to rotate between an open position and a closed position relative to the base and the clamp is configured to couple the pressure bar to the actuating mechanism while the cap is in the open position. 
     
     
       13. The valve assembly of  claim 11  further comprising a first gasket and a second gasket coupled to the base. 
     
     
       14. The valve assembly of  claim 13  wherein the cap is configured to rotate between an open position and a closed position relative to the base and the clamp is configured to couple the pressure bar to the actuating mechanism while the cap is in the open position and while providing access to at least one of the first gasket and the second gasket. 
     
     
       15. The valve pressure assembly of  claim 11  wherein the cap is configured to rotate between an open position and a closed position relative to the base and the clamp is configured to couple to the base while the cap is in the open position. 
     
     
       16. The valve pressure assembly of  claim 11  wherein the cap is configured to rotate between an open position and a closed position relative to the base and the clamp is configured to adjustably couple to the base while the cap is in the open position. 
     
     
       17. The valve pressure assembly of  claim 11  wherein the cap is configured to rotate between an open position and a closed position relative to the base and the clamp is configured to move the pressure bar relative to the base while the cap is in the open position. 
     
     
       18. A method of operating a valve pressure assembly to maintain an actuating member of a pressure relief valve in an operating position, the method comprising:
 coupling a clamp to a pressure bar; 
 positioning the pressure bar next to the actuating mechanism; 
 coupling the clamp to the pressure relief valve; and 
 selectively adjusting the clamp relative to the pressure relief valve to move the pressure bar against the actuating mechanism to pressure the actuating mechanism into the operative position. 
 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 18  further comprising positioning a connector against the actuating mechanism. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 18  wherein coupling the clamp to the pressure bar and coupling the clamp to the pressure relief valve comprises coupling an adjustable fastener to the pressure relief valve.